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project // making fabric (hexagon!) stamps like nanaCompany

Did you know that in some countries you can buy stamps...postage stamps...that are hexagons? I can't even tell you how jealous that makes me. I don't use stamps that often, but I feel like I'd mail more things with stamps if they were in my favorite shape.

And yes, I'm a thirty-cough-cough year old who has a favorite shape.

But back to stamps. Amy Sinibaldi of nanaCompany often has little stamps, postmarks, and other mail-related things in her work, and her fabric stamps are simply adorable. I credit her for this project, and she credits another. This is how ideas travel. Via air mail.

My adaptation is to make them into the foreign hexagon stamps that I covet. I even added some embroidery!

First, trace a hexagon onto paper-backed fusible interfacing.

Iron the hexagon(s) to the back of the fabric. If you are using print fabrics, this is the perfect opportunity to fussy cut and get the part you like the most.

If you plan to embroider a stamp, make sure that you place the hexagon in from the edges a bit so you can hoop the fabric. Transfer the pattern, then remove the paper backing.

A thing to consider here...I don't know what would happen if you used a pattern transfer method that would require soaking. I used a fine-tip transfer pen this time. I'll give the soaking method a go soon.

Embroider the fabric, centering the design on the interfacing that's on the back. Also, avoid knots, as they'll give your stamp some lumpiness. Use the method described here to start and stop without knots.

Cut out the hexagon, and iron it onto some creamy white fabric. Add interfacing to the back of the white, then cut it out with pinking shears for a nice stamp edge.

How about these fussy cut racing cats? I do believe that they are worthy of their own project. Maybe I'll try making some stamped coasters...all with kitties? Thanks to Fabric Supply, I officially have a kitty fabric collection.

The tiny ones are equally cute, although harder to cut with the pinking shears. The corners don't always come out pretty, so I trimmed one down with straight edges. Still fun!

This is unrelated, but what are your experiences with metallic threads? I'm planning a project that I definitely need metallic threads for (a carousel horse!) and am quite at a loss of what to use. I need something that I don't have to order online. What metallic threads have you used {and liked}? Where can I get them? Which ones should I avoid using? Thanks in advance!

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unless otherwise noted, all content is copyright 2004-2018 mollie johanson, and should be kept for personal and cottage-industry use only. if you have questions or would like to publish any of my work, please ask first.